Israeli left wing protests 'anti-democratic' bills in parliament

Israeli demonstrators take part in a march to protest against the flurry of anti-democratic bills and legislation being pushed through parliament by right-wing legislators on Nov. 22, 2011 in Tel Aviv.

Most of the coverage of Israel focuses on the right-wing of Israeli politics.

Some members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition have pushed forward a series of measures recently that critics say are aimed at stifling opponents.

Among the proposed legislation are attempts to block most foreign funding for dovish nonprofit groups, lowering the threshold for politicians to file libel suits against the media, and a push to shift control of Supreme Court appointments from an independent panel to parliament.

Israeli police officers detain a left-wing demonstrator during a protest against legislation they regard as anti-democratic in Tel Aviv Nov. 22, 2011. An amendment to a bill which would increase the amount paid as compensation in a libel suit passed its first reading on Monday, and two other bills awaiting ratification would give parliament some control over appointments to Israel's Supreme Court.

Baz Ratner / Reuters

Israeli police officers detain a left-wing demonstrator during a protest against legislation they regard as anti-democratic in Tel Aviv Nov. 22, 2011.